The Bombay High Court on July 15 strongly criticised social media influencer Vikas Phatak, popularly known as Hindustani Bhau, for filing a plea seeking registration of an FIR against Bollywood filmmaker Farah Khan. The plea alleged that Khan had hurt Hindu sentiments by calling Holi a festival of "Chhapris." The division bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad did not take the plea kindly and questioned the intent behind approaching the court with such matters.
“Why are you so deeply hurt? Stop being so sensitive… We have more than 200 matters listed and you bring such matters to the court… For what? For publicity, to get your name in the headlines?” Justice Ghuge remarked during the hearing.
The bench also questioned how the petitioner could claim his sentiments were hurt over the comments. The court noted that the statement made by Farah Khan was later removed from the aired show. Advocate Ali Kashif Khan Deshmukh, representing Phatak, confirmed that the controversial line had indeed been deleted after a formal complaint was submitted.
The channel, on which the show was aired and the line was used, has removed the said part after I filed a complaint on behalf of my client, Deshmukh informed the bench.
Justice Ghuge responded by noting that the issue appeared to have been resolved already.
"So that means, they have taken it down… People have forgotten it now. Why you want to pursue it... Why did you not go and register an FIR on your own? Why did you first send a complaint letter through your lawyer?" the judge asked.
The court further expressed displeasure with the nature of the matter being brought before it, suggesting the petitioner should not bring trivial issues to an already burdened court system.
Bring better causes to the court, the bench remarked, indicating its dissatisfaction with the case.
As the court signalled its inclination to dismiss the petition, Deshmukh sought permission to withdraw the plea, which the bench allowed.
In a light-hearted closing comment, the bench remarked,
"On a lighter vein, your client must see channels like National Geographic, Travel & Living etc... I can say that after watching such channels your client will be very happy."
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The court's oral observations reflected a broader concern about frivolous litigation and misuse of legal platforms for personal or publicity-driven motives.